A Peculiar Practice Session

Composed, Jiang Chen met Zhou Yi’s stuttered question with an unreadable expression. ‘I just figured we should get some practice in for the ‘two-person three-legged race’,’ he began. ‘Weren’t you quite adept at it last time, when you were tripping up Zhao Lei?’

True, he conceded internally, but circumstances had shifted. Now, Zhou Yi’s sole desire was to master the art of invisibility.

‘I… that was…’

‘What’s wrong? Is the prize money from the sports meet not worth your time?’

‘No, it’s not that… I…’

Zhou Yi found himself at a loss for words. It wasn’t the prize money he disdained; rather, he dreaded being too close to Jiang Chen, fearing that his uncontrollable ‘senior sister voice’ would betray him the moment he spoke.

‘Then stop dawdling,’ Jiang Chen said, utterly oblivious to Zhou Yi’s internal turmoil. ‘It’s a few minutes of competition; isn’t free pocket money appealing?’

He deftly twisted the cap onto his mineral water bottle, then casually flicked it into a nearby trash can.

‘You work so hard normally,’ Jiang Chen remarked casually, ‘consider this me earning you a hotpot meal.’ Though his tone was light, the words carried a subtle weight.

He had long observed Zhou Yi’s overly frugal habits. With a legitimate opportunity now presenting itself to help his roommate earn some money, he naturally intended to seize it.

Zhou Yi’s lips parted, then pressed together several times. Ultimately, he couldn’t bring himself to utter a refusal, only managing a nod.

‘Alright, let’s go then. Your brother here will show you what ‘speed and passion’ truly means!’

****

The evening track was gilded with a golden rim by the setting sun, and the rubberized track emanated a uniquely warm, almost fervent scent.

Joggers weaved along the track, while the shouts of football players training drifted from the central lawn. The entire space throbbed with the vibrant energy of youth.

Jiang Chen deftly bound their ankles together with a cloth strap, his fingers nimble as they tied a secure knot.

‘Listen carefully,’ he instructed, adjusting the knot without lifting his gaze. ‘The core is rhythm and trust. When I call ‘one,’ you step with your outer leg, and I’ll step with my inner. Don’t just blindly push; follow my momentum.’

‘Oh… alright.’ Zhou Yi took a deep breath, making a concerted effort to banish the jumbled thoughts from his mind.

The very first step nearly sent them sprawling.

Zhou Yi’s mind was unsettled, his steps entirely out of sync. His left foot tangled with his right, sending him lurching abruptly forward.

‘Whoa!’ Jiang Chen reacted with lightning speed, his hand shooting out to grab Zhou Yi’s waist.

Beneath his strong fingertips, however, the touch was unexpectedly soft and delicate. His mind faltered, his movements pausing for a split second before he forcefully corrected their unbalanced momentum. ‘Bro, what are you thinking about?’ he chided. ‘Can you focus a little!’

Zhou Yi glanced at Jiang Chen apologetically. ‘I… I’m sorry…’

‘It’s nothing,’ Jiang Chen said, averting his gaze and clearing his throat. ‘Let’s go again!’

Just then, a faint wisp of jasmine fragrance subtly wafted over with Zhou Yi’s movements, silently overlapping with a hazy memory deep within his mind.

‘This scent… he’d definitely encountered it somewhere before!’

Jiang Chen’s brow furrowed slightly as he tried to pinpoint that fleeting sense of familiarity, yet he couldn’t recall where he had encountered it.

****

After several more uncoordinated attempts, Zhou Yi stumbled to a gasping halt. ‘I might truly not be suited for tasks that require such perfect synergy,’ he admitted.

Observing his deflated expression, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but chuckle. He raised a hand to pat Zhou Yi’s back. ‘Alright, don’t act as if it’s the end of the world.’

‘No one is born knowing everything,’ Jiang Chen said, deftly untying the strap. ‘All skill is forged through failure. Let’s take a five-minute break, then continue.’

When they were bound again, Zhou Yi was noticeably more relaxed. He no longer rushed his steps, but instead focused intently on sensing the rhythm Jiang Chen set.

After several coordinated rounds, their steps gradually synchronized, and their breathing, too, began to align in a peculiar harmony.

Zhou Yi’s hurried breathing brushed past Jiang Chen’s ear, a sound as light and delicate as wind chimes gently swaying.

Jiang Chen’s heart inexplicably fluttered.

‘…Why does that panting sound somewhat like a girl’s?’

His eyelids trembled faintly, and he inexplicably felt his own heartbeat lose its rhythm even before their steps did.

‘Hey, you…’ The words formed on his tongue, then swerved. ‘Never mind, it’s nothing.’

He swiftly suppressed that inexplicable flutter, then forced a casual smile. ‘Today’s practice was decent; we’re done for the day. Come on, I’ll treat you to dinner to celebrate you not having thrown me into the infirmary.’

Zhou Yi: ‘…?’

In truth, ending the training was merely a hasty excuse Jiang Chen had concocted.

The closer he came to this roommate, the more tumultuous the unfamiliar stirring within his heart became.

The warmth from the other’s waist still lingered on his fingertips, and that clean, faint jasmine scent still subtly clung to his breath.

‘What was happening to him?’

He was certain—absolutely, unequivocally certain—that his sexual orientation was as normal as could be.

He liked girls. Yet, the instant that strap was untied just now…

He’d felt an almost undignified impulse to pull Zhou Yi closer, right into his embrace.

Jiang Chen was so startled by the thought that a shiver ran through him. He immediately turned and strode away from the track.

‘Catch up, don’t just stand there staring.’

Zhou Yi jogged to catch up with his somewhat hurried pace. ‘W-which place are we going to?’

Jiang Chen cast him a suspicious glance, barely managing to suppress a flicker of discomfort. ‘Where else would we go? Our usual spot, of course: Little Wooden Bridge Grilled Fish.’

‘This works!’ Zhou Yi immediately let out a sigh of relief. Anything was better than that high-end restaurant from last time, which made his wallet ache just at a glance of the menu.

The two of them blended into the stream of people, walking side by side towards the school’s back gate.

The street where Little Wooden Bridge Grilled Fish was located buzzed with vibrant life, teeming with students milling about and delivery riders zipping past.

Just as they rounded the street corner, a harsh, sudden roar erupted ahead, causing both of them to halt simultaneously.

‘Are your damn ears just for decoration? Can’t even string a sentence together properly?’

They instinctively froze.

Following the sound, they saw a burly, greasy-haired middle-aged man standing beside a black sedan, a cigarette clenched between his fingers, his face flushed crimson.

Ash trembled and fell with his agitated movements, as his finger repeatedly jabbed at the shoulder-slumped woman standing before him.

The woman kept her head bowed, not daring to utter a single word. The plastic bag clutched in her hand trembled slightly, and the apples peeking from its opening quivered faintly with the man’s furious roar.

Beside her stood a young man, seemingly in his early twenties.

It was, unmistakably, Li Yanze.

His face pale, he bowed humbly to the man, speaking with trepidation: ‘Dad… I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I didn’t hear clearly… Don’t blame Mom…’

‘Useless!’

The man’s furious roar threatened to rip through the entire street.

The cigarette butt in his hand was viciously ground against the car door, producing a sharp ‘sizzle’ and leaving an ugly burn mark on the pristine paintwork.

‘Did I raise you for nothing? You go to some pathetic university, and you can’t even relay a simple message clearly!’

His chest heaved violently as he pointed at the people before him, unleashing a torrent of curses.

‘Look at your mother there, always protecting you! Protecting? Protecting what? You’re both useless!’

The woman clutched the plastic bag tightly, her shoulders shaking violently.

‘Old Li… don’t… don’t be like this, we’re outside…’

Her tearful plea was roughly cut short. ‘Shut up! You have the nerve to speak? It’s all your fault for spoiling him!’

His anger still simmering, he kicked the nearby car tire. The dull thud reverberated, chilling them to the bone.

The woman flinched, quickly retreating until her back hit the car door, her hands instinctively rising to shield her chest.